Why microbes secrete molecules to modify their environment: the case of iron-chelating siderophores.

ABSTRACT: Many microorganisms secrete molecules that interact with resources outside of the cell. This includes, for example, enzymes that degrade polymers like chitin, and chelators that bind trace metals like iron. In contrast to direct uptake via the cell surface, such release strategies entail the risk of losing the secreted molecules to environmental sinks, including 'cheating' genotypes. Nevertheless, such secretion strategies are widespread, even in the well-mixed marine environment. Here, we investigate the benefits of a release strategy whose efficiency has frequently been questioned: iron uptake in the ocean by secretion of iron chelators called siderophores. We asked the question whether the release itself is essential for the function of siderophores, which could explain why this risky r

SUBMITTER: Leventhal GE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6364635 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature